Happy National Poetry Month! Thanks for dropping by my Poem Starter Video party.
Today’s poem comes from Pirates?(Wordsong, 2012), by David L. Harrison. This collection is probably one of my top five picture book poetry collections of all times. It is full of drama and conflict and action–and beautiful poetry, to boot. These are not your average cartoon pirates, who have happy endings and are really good mates at heart. These are violent, intriguing, sometimes remorseful men whose lives?make fascinating poetry. What could be better? I especially love having another fantastic boy-friendly poetry collection to recommend to teachers and kids.
Signing on a Crew
Gather ?round, ye scurvy mates,
I’m signing on a crew.You there! Can ye tie a knot?
Ye’ll do.I’d say you’ve snatched a purse or two.
Ye’ll do.Does the thought of plundered gold
Make ye shiver?
Make ye bold?
Ye’ll do.Ha! You’re rotten through and through!
Ye’ll do.Phew! You stinking drunken lout!
You’d whack your uncle’s gizzard out!
Well step right up!
Beyond a doubt
Ye’ll do!–by David L. Harrison, all rights reserved
And here is my Poem Starter Video:
[wpvideo uI5V4RB4]
This is terrific, Laura! I love the book, & know that it would be perfect in class, especially for the boys! FYI-I just read your poem, “Bs Are A Few of My Favorite Things” on YDP-so funny. Thanks for good poems this am!
Thanks, Linda! Pirates is just fabulous. And that Bs poem began on my blog years ago. Fun to have it find another audience:>)
This is terrific, Laura! I love the book, & know that it would be perfect in class, especially for the boys! FYI-I just read your poem, “Bs Are A Few of My Favorite Things” on YDP-so funny. Thanks for good poems this am!
Thanks, Linda! Pirates is just fabulous. And that Bs poem began on my blog years ago. Fun to have it find another audience:>)
I just found your website today. I’m happy I did! I love the Poem Starter videos. I teach 2nd grade and I plan on using some of your videos to jumpstart my students’ creativity during Poetry Month.
Thanks, Maria! I’m so glad you’ll be able to use the videos–they’re a new thing I’m trying out:>) Thanks for letting me know.
I just found your website today. I’m happy I did! I love the Poem Starter videos. I teach 2nd grade and I plan on using some of your videos to jumpstart my students’ creativity during Poetry Month.
Thanks, Maria! I’m so glad you’ll be able to use the videos–they’re a new thing I’m trying out:>) Thanks for letting me know.
FATHER AND SON
How do I tie my shoe?
Criss cross, stretch out,
loop de loop,
Done!
How do I tie my shoe?
Please, apply
yourself
little one?
How do I tie my shoe?
You’re not
paying
attention son.
How do I tie my shoe?
That’s it, get out,
adios, R U N !
(C) Charles Waters 2013 all rights reserved.
Kids would have fun doing this refrain. Especially a group of kids learning how to do just that.
FATHER AND SON
How do I tie my shoe?
Criss cross, stretch out,
loop de loop,
Done!
How do I tie my shoe?
Please, apply
yourself
little one?
How do I tie my shoe?
You’re not
paying
attention son.
How do I tie my shoe?
That’s it, get out,
adios, R U N !
(C) Charles Waters 2013 all rights reserved.
Kids would have fun doing this refrain. Especially a group of kids learning how to do just that.
Those of us who know you picked up on that salty edge in your voice and your skeptical squint, but I’m afraid that you make a . . . um . . . rather “polite pirate,” Laura! (I think we need to send you a pint of scurvy juice to bring out the scoundrel.) Another poem that has great use of repetition is Carole Boston Weatherford’s “Loose Tooth, Whose Tooth?” in The Poetry Friday Anthology for K-5. You can read part of it here: http://poetryfridayanthology.blogspot.com/2013/03/week-30.html.
What, I’m not nasty enough? This comment made me laugh–in improv classes a few years ago, the leader had to keep telling me not to stand so “nice,” hold my hands so nice, etc., if I wanted to be any character other than Mom. Curses!
Let me just say: you would make an OUTSTANDING Pirate Mom!! (Hey: is that a book-starter for you?)
lol-dang!
Those of us who know you picked up on that salty edge in your voice and your skeptical squint, but I’m afraid that you make a . . . um . . . rather “polite pirate,” Laura! (I think we need to send you a pint of scurvy juice to bring out the scoundrel.) Another poem that has great use of repetition is Carole Boston Weatherford’s “Loose Tooth, Whose Tooth?” in The Poetry Friday Anthology for K-5. You can read part of it here: http://poetryfridayanthology.blogspot.com/2013/03/week-30.html.
What, I’m not nasty enough? This comment made me laugh–in improv classes a few years ago, the leader had to keep telling me not to stand so “nice,” hold my hands so nice, etc., if I wanted to be any character other than Mom. Curses!
Let me just say: you would make an OUTSTANDING Pirate Mom!! (Hey: is that a book-starter for you?)
lol-dang!